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Prof. Seiho Nagafuchi
Kyushu Univ. School of Health Sciences |
| Immune system plays a
critical role in the defense against microbial infections. The
specific role of immune system consists of the specificity and
the memory of previous infections. The immune responses are induced
by microbial infections. Immune system begins to work along with
the uptake and processing of antigen by antigen-presenting cells
(APC) and the presentation of antigen to T cells by APC, followed
by the various immune responses including macrophage activation,
induction of cytotoxic T cells and production of antibodies by
B cells. Recently, we found that B cell deficient NOD mice, which
usually develop autoimmune diabetes, did not develop diabetes,
indicating that B cell are essential for the augmentation of
autoimmunity to pancreatic beta cells. In addition, accumulating
evidence has suggested that B cells are also important in the
protection against various microbial infections. Thus, B cells
play an important role in determining the level of immune responses.
The development of the favorable manipulation of B cells will
contribute to control the immune responses suitable for maintaining
comfortable human life. |
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